It Doesn't Get Any Easier Than This!
Connecting WebSentry is a cinch! Just plug in a standard Ethernet connection and within seconds your dehumidifier is talking to Seresco's remote monitoring servers...

Comfort, Health and Safety

A natatorium is one of the most notoriously difficult facilities to
design because there are so many critical considerations that, if
overlooked, can develop into problems with the building structure or
into complaints from the occupants. The designer must take a complete
system approach, from basic engineering issues to the more subtle
details in the air distribution. Experience and a complete understanding
of the design issues help the designer satisfy:

Temperature and relative humidity play a critical role in human comfort
levels. It is essential that both are controlled and stable. While
temperature control is generally well understood and mastered by
designers, it is important to recognize what temperature levels natatorium
patrons want. The space temperatures in a natatorium are unique to each
project and assumptions must never be made.

Proper control of relative humidity levels are also a concern because
of the direct effect on human comfort and health. Figure 1 shows that
relative humidity levels outside the optimum zone 40% - 60% range can
result in human vulnerability to disease. These diseases include
bacteria, viruses, fungi, Mites and other contaminants that lower
air quality and will potentially lead to respiratory issues.

While 40% is certainly an acceptable indoor relative humidity level,
most indoor pools do not operate at lower than 50% RH due to
significantly increased operating costs.

At lower RH levels, the pool evaporation rate increases dramatically.
This increases both the dehumidification load and the pool water heating
requirement.

In cold climate applications it is important to ensure no more outdoor
air be introduced than what the codes require. More is not
better in this case as it causes the RH levels can plummet to as low
as 20, costing the operator in dearly in increased air and pool water
heating costs.

Swimmers leaving the water feel chilly at lower relative humidity
levels due to evaporation off their bodies

Figure 1 - Relative Humidity Impacts Occupant Health

The type of facility being designed will typically dictate the space
temperature. Table 1 helps target some typical conditions. It is critical
to understand who will be using the facility in order to deliver the
conditions most likely to satisfy them.

Typical Natatorium Design Conditions

Pool Type

Air Temperature (°F)

Water Temperature (°F)

Competition

75 to 85

76 to 82

Diving

80 to 85

84 to 88

Elderly Swimmers

84 to 85

85 to 90

Hotel

82 to 85

82 to 86

Physical Therapy

80 to 85

90 to 95

Recreational

82 to 85

80 to 85

Whirlpool/Spa

80 to 85

102 to 104

Table 1 - Natatorium Design Conditions

General Notes:

Facilities with warmer water temperatures tend to have warmer
space temperatures.

Physical Therapy facilities will often cater to therapist comfort
rather than the patient. The patient is generally not in the space for
more than an hour, whereas the therapist is there all day. The
designer should consult local codes. Some States require a full purge
of the clinic room air with 100% outdoor air for every hour of occupancy.

Elderly swimmers tend to prefer much warmer air and water temperatures.